MPR News Presents

Speeches, documentaries and debates.

January 13, 2016 12:00 PM

Hear President Obama's final State of the Union address and the GOP response

President Obama delivered his final State of the Union address in the House chamber Tuesday night. South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley gave the Republican address afterward.

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January 12, 2016 1:32 PM

The Living Legacy: Black Colleges in the 21st Century

Before the civil rights movement, African Americans were largely barred from white-dominated institutions of higher education. Black Americans, and their white supporters, founded their own schools, which came to be known as Historically Black Colleges and Universities. After desegregation, have they outlived their purpose?

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January 11, 2016 1:40 PM

Intelligence Squared debate: affirmative action in college admissions

An Intelligence Squared debate about affirmative action in college admissions. The US Supreme Court is taking up the controversial issue again this term, and will try to determine if racial preferences level the playing field and enhance diversity, or result in racial discrimination that's unconstitutional.

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January 8, 2016 1:35 PM

New Minnesota theater directors explore the future

A discussion about the future of theater. Four of the longstanding Twin Cities theaters have new artistic directors and this hour they talk about the challenges they face in bringing plays to the small number of adults who want to attend live theater. Is theater necessary? The Guthrie's new director Joe Haj is joined by directors at Penumbra, Jungle and Mu Performing Arts.

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January 7, 2016 1:30 PM

How sentencing was hijacked by Congress and Presidents

Retired US district court judge James Robertson says too many people are imprisoned for low-level non-violent crimes because prosecutors, not the judges, have all the power. In the current system, he says sentences might as well be handed out by computer. Should judges have more discretion to determine what's fair?

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January 6, 2016 1:35 PM

Explorers of the Brain: Research from the Frontiers of Neuroscience

Scientists and engineers are bringing us closer to an understanding of how the brain works, and why it works the way it does. There's a lot of variation, even in the brains of healthy people. "Explorers of the Brain: Research from the Frontiers of Neuroscience," was produced by Richard Paul and the National Science Foundation.

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January 5, 2016 1:37 PM

Documentary: The Best Medicine for Heart Disease

Heart disease is the number one cause of death in America, and this hour's documentary explores the ways we heal the human heart: the cutting edge treatments, therapies and technologies, and the value of prevention. It's called "The Best Medicine for Heart Disease".

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January 4, 2016 1:37 PM

Intelligence Squared debate: College students should be allowed to take smart drugs

College students are heading back to school after long vacations, and many of them are apparently using pharmaceuticals to help them stay focused and alert for longer periods of time. Is off-label use of so-called "smart drugs" cheating, and is it dangerous? Experts debate the benefits and the risks.

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January 1, 2016 12:00 PM

'The First Family of Radio: Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt's Historic Broadcasts'

Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt were the "first couple" of American radio. This American RadioWorks documentary, "The First Family of Radio: Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt's Historic Broadcasts," features rarely heard archival audio and explores how the Roosevelts revolutionized political communication in America.

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December 31, 2015 1:36 PM

Abraham Lincoln on New Year's Eve 1861

A Chautauqua Lecture about one of America's greatest presidents: Abraham Lincoln. David Von Drehle is the author of "Rise to Greatness: Abraham Lincoln and America's Most Perilous Year." On New Year's Eve in 1861 the president was NOT celebrating. He was holding a critical meeting with his cabinet and members of congress.

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